CSIR JSA Syllabus 2026: Paper I, Paper II and Typing Test Topics
The CSIR JSA syllabus covers three subjects across two papers: Mental Ability in Paper I, and General Awareness and English Language in Paper II. A typing test in English or Hindi is also part of selection. The structure on this page follows the last combined CSIR cycle (Advertisement No. CRRI/02/PC/JSA-JST/2025) and the 2026 lab advertisements, which use the same scheme.
CSIR names the subjects and broad areas in its advertisements but does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. The topic lists below are built from the official advertisements and from the kind of questions common in clerical-level exams. Use them as a working checklist, not as an official list.
CSIR JSA syllabus at a glance
Paper | Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper I (qualifying) | Mental Ability Test | 100 | 200 | 90 minutes |
Paper II (merit) | General Awareness | 50 | 150 | 60 minutes for both sections |
Paper II (merit) | English Language | 50 | 150 | (shared) |
Typing test (qualifying) | English 35 wpm or Hindi 30 wpm | Not applicable | Not applicable | 10 minutes |
Key changes to know
Merit comes only from Paper II: Paper I is a qualifying gate. Pages that add both papers together for merit are out of date.
No interview: Recent CSIR JSA advertisements have no interview stage, so there is no interview syllabus to prepare.
Typing is computer-based: Recent typing tests run on a computer with backspace and delete disabled in at least one cycle, so practise accordingly.
Each lab sets its own paper: The broad syllabus is the same, but question style can vary between labs and agencies.
Paper I syllabus: Mental Ability Test
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
Verbal reasoning | Analogies, classification, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, order and ranking, syllogism, statements and conclusions | Analogies and coding-decoding |
Non-verbal reasoning | Figure series, mirror and water images, paper folding, embedded figures, space visualisation | Figure series |
Number series and arithmetic reasoning | Number series, missing numbers, number puzzles, basic arithmetic operations | Number series |
Quantitative aptitude | Percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time and distance | Percentage and ratio |
Problem solving and judgement | Seating arrangement, puzzles, decision making, situational judgement | Simple linear arrangements |
Paper I has 100 questions in 90 minutes and no negative marking, so speed and full attempts matter more than perfection. Arithmetic reasoning and series questions are quick wins once your calculation speed is good.
Paper II syllabus
General Awareness
Current events: National and international news, government schemes, appointments, awards, sports and summits from the last 6 to 12 months.
Science in everyday life: Basic physics, chemistry and biology, health, environment and technology.
History and culture: Ancient, medieval and modern India, freedom struggle, art and culture.
Geography: Indian and world geography, India and its neighbouring countries.
Polity and Constitution: Fundamental rights and duties, Parliament, President, judiciary, important articles and amendments.
Economy: Budget basics, banking, inflation, GDP and major economic schemes.
Scientific research: CSIR, its laboratories, major Indian research institutions and recent scientific achievements.
English Language
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases, spelling |
Grammar | Error spotting, sentence improvement, tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement |
Sentence structure | Sentence rearrangement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech |
Usage and comprehension | Fill in the blanks, cloze test, short reading passages |
Both Paper II sections carry 3 marks per correct answer and a 1-mark penalty per wrong answer. English is usually the more controllable section, because grammar rules and vocabulary improve steadily with daily practice.
Typing test syllabus
The typing test has no topic syllabus. Candidates type a passage shown on screen for 10 minutes, at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. The language is the one chosen in the application and cannot be changed later.
Overlap between Paper I and Paper II
Area | Paper I | Paper II | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Reading speed | Long reasoning questions and puzzles | English passages and long options | Daily reading builds both |
Accuracy habits | No penalty, but errors lose easy marks | Each error costs 1 mark | Train accuracy from the start |
Number sense | Arithmetic reasoning and series | Economy and data-based GA facts | Revise basic arithmetic weekly |
How to cover the CSIR JSA syllabus
Weeks 1 to 4: Build Paper I basics in reasoning and arithmetic, start English grammar rules, and read the news daily.
Weeks 5 to 8: Cover static General Awareness subject by subject, add vocabulary lists, and start typing practice for 15 minutes a day.
Weeks 9 to 12: Take topic tests and sectional tests for each subject, and keep monthly current affairs notes.
Final phase: Take full-length mocks of both papers, analyse them on the same day, and revise from your error log.
Official source: the syllabus areas above come from the detailed advertisements on the CSIR-CRRI recruitment page and the CSIR-NEIST website.
Frequently Asked Questions
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